If you have suffered injuries after having been in an accident caused by a shopping cart, you may have a personal injury claim.
Any accident can cause serious injuries. You can be knocked around in your car and experience broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, lacerations, and even internal injuries.
Usually, stray shopping cart isn't an issue, but is still is an act of negligence. It can either be because the shopping carts were not properly restrained by the business, or it could be because of the negligence of an employee or a customer.
Either way, you may have a personal injury claim to pursue.
Causes of Shopping Cart Accidents
If the shopping cart corrals are overflowing because they were not attended and the carts came rolling at your car, it could be considered negligence on behalf of the store.
If an employee lost grip of the cart or carts and they came rolling at you, it could also fall back on the business.
When a customer lets go of a cart, or the accident is caused by another shopper, you may actually have a personal injury claim against that individual because they are liable for their actions.
There have been reports of people who have suffered serious injuries and even permanent disabilities from shopping cart accidents. When you are shopping, you should be attentive to try to avoid an accident involving a shopping cart.
The Losses You Suffer
Injuries can be very costly. Those who are liable for your injuries are responsible for your medical expenses including any therapy and rehab that are needed. You should also be compensated for your lost wages and your pain and suffering.
When you experience injuries because of someone else’s negligence, they are liable for your damages.
You should not try to deal with an insurance company yourself because they are not going to offer you the compensation you deserve.
Because of the complexity of a personal injury claim, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney will investigate your accident and make sure your rights are protected.
Evidence to Gather
Filing a personal injury claim after your car was damaged by a shopping cart may be difficult. However, if you have enough evidence, you will be able to receive the damages that you deserve. When you get to your car and see a shopping cart up against it, do not move the shopping cart. Take photographs to see how the shopping cart hit your car.
This will give a better idea of what happened. Next, you will then be able to remove the cart and take photographs of any damages that you see on your car. In addition, check to see if the store has a video feed of the parking lot. Sometimes, accidents do happen, but if one of the employees did not fulfil their duty to maintain a safe environment, the video will show that.
Luckily, the damage that a shopping cart can cause will most likely be cosmetic. You should have no problems driving your car out of the lot. However, just because the damage is cosmetic, it doesn’t mean that it is inexpensive. If the shopping cart scraped the paint off of one side of your car, a new paint job could cost hundreds of dollars.
Consult with an Attorney
If you have been injured by a shopping cart accident, you should consult with an attorney as quickly as possible. The attorney will investigate your claim. He will go over your recollection of what happened, any witness accounts, any videos or photographs, police reports, and medical records.
You will need to provide documentation of lost wages.
Any future medical treatment will also be considered, such as therapy, recurring doctor visits, or rehabilitation. Your attorney will deal with the insurance adjusters to make sure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
An experienced personal injury attorney knows how to properly pursue your claim so you will get the compensation that you deserve.
It is easy to be seriously injured, so it is imperative that you pay close attention to your surroundings and try to protect yourself. Regardless of how cautious you are you can still suffer an injury because of someone else's negligence.
That is when a personal injury attorney comes into play.
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